Electrical

[montiem]

I was in a campground that has 50 amps; it was showing 118/122 volts. I was busy getting hooked up for a nice weekend. I had both ac's on and the electric hot water heater, when I opened the door and the steps came out the main breaker blew, I turned it back on and everything was fine. We left and went to eat returned and still everything was OK, carried the dog for a walk and returned in a few minutes and the coach was full of smoke, it was coming from the 120volt distribution center. I removed the cover to find that the rear AC and the 120 water heater wires coming from two 20 amp breakers had melted and the connections to plastic connectors with a printed circuit board. You can see the damage in pictures. I called Monaco for some assistance, I talked to a tactical person and he immediately told me this was the cause of a loose wire, he turned me over to a parts rep but he could not find the part I needed, he is contacting a tect. and see if I can get the part with the connections, he was the opinion I would have to buy the complete electrical box.

My question is has anyone ever had this problem where the damage was just to a certain part of the board, the front air was running but had no damage and does anyone know where these parts can be bought and not have to buy the complete box but that may be the way to go, one of the breakers almost fell out went I pulled the wires loose. Thanks for any suggestions or an answer to the problem; I don’t want that to happen again.

[RJay]

A good reminder that our house on wheels is subjected to vibration and we should check those electrical connections every so often.

[montiem]

Do you occasionally tighten the screws in your electrical box, would that be considered a normal maintenance practice. with all teh bumps and such I just wondered how many people do this on a regular basis. I think after this I will start.
Thanks

[RJay]

Checking the wires for tightness can be just a slight tugging on the wires to see if they're tight. As the OP stated, “one of the breakers almost fell out went I pulled the wires loose”.

[Steve N Sal]

Good post here. You know I've been an electrician for 42 years and it's always good to see a helpful reminder like this. Hate to see something like this happen to someone especially when their out to have a good weeked on fun and relaxation. Just checked all connections in the breaker box and everything was tight. Now will check connections in lower bay and make sure all is good there as well. Again thanks , sometimes you just take things for granted.

[Dr4Film]

That particular electrical panel is your Intellitec EMS Distribution and power shedding system. This system is primarily used when you are connected to anything less than 50 amp shore power. Depending on your power consumption it will shed certain devices as you approach the maximum amount of amps available.

You might try calling Intellitec directly to see what they have to say. I would think it would be cheaper than what Monaco would charge.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[wa8yxm]

When my rig was still fairly new (Six months or less) I was having issues with my Air Conditioners.. Sometimes the front would work, sometimes not, Sometimes the rear, sometimes not, I don't recall both of them not working, 30 or 50 amps did not matter.

Finally pulled the cover off the breaker box and attacked the problem screwdriver on.

I'm now fond of saying many RVers have a few screws loose.

One of those screws took over TWO FULL TURNS before it started to snug down.

(See why the screws loose statement)

Today, they are tight.. I still have a couple of heat damaged wires though.. Trust me though, those screws are now TIGHT!

(I have this nasty habbit of snapping high grade bolts when I accidently over tighten.. In the old days I'd snap quarter inch bolts with my thumb wrapped around the head of the wrench,, I don't do that any more but hey.. They are easy to break.. Only broke one in the breaker box.. it's tight though)

[montiem]

Dr4Film-Wa8yxm

You two guys seem to know about the electrical on a rig, can you tell me from the pictures if I can replace the parts that are burned or do I need to replace the complete inside of the box. I am not a very good electrician but I have people that work for me that are good residential electricians.

[Dr4Film]

I repaired a triple slide out control board that had been overheated from a short. It took out part of the circuit. I attempted to solder over the gap making a bridge but ended up soldering a wire to bridge the gap. Personally, it doesn't look anywhere close to the same amount of damage that your board and photo indicates.

Your board looks pretty toasted.

Only my opinion.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[montiem]

I think it's gone, I e-mailed the company and asked if I what I needed to replace, I think you are right

[KIX]

Montiem,
yes, it looks like you can replace the breakers and the EMS board. In my coach the EMS was made by Intellitec and looks like yours. I think you can find some help here:
Intellitec Battery products : R & K Products
Good luck

[montiem]

Just an update, the problem is fixed at a cost of $689.00, that will be the last loose screw in the electrical box, thanks for all the help

[ArmyEOD]

Thanks for the update, was the cost for just the new board or board and labor at a dealer? I have tightened all my screws that I can find. Transfer switch, breaker/circuit panel, and all boards that I can locate.

[wa8yxm]

From the photos I'm not sure but I do not think you need to replace anything other than the damaged parts.